Solid-state imaging device with continuously adjusted discharging in the

Abstract

A solid-state imaging apparatus functioning as an electronic shutter accumulates charge, is discharged during the horizontal blanking periods and provides charge accumulated since the last discharge as an image output signal in response to an image output pulse. When the level of the image output signal corresponds to a dark object, the charge accumulation time is controlled to be relatively long, so that a charge accumulation period timing resolution of one horizontal period is sufficient. When the level of the image output signal corresponds to a light object, the charge accumulation time is controlled to be relatively short with more accurate timing resolution than for a dark object by continuously controlling the discharge timing defining the start of the charge accumulation period.